Checking In at the Departure Counter
Travelers arrive at the airport and proceed to the airline's check-in counter to present their passport and ticket, check their luggage, and receive their boarding pass.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
check-in
The process of registering for a flight at the airport counter, where you show your documents and handle luggage.
passport
An official government document that proves your identity and citizenship when traveling internationally.
ticket
A document or electronic confirmation that allows you to board a flight; it shows your flight details.
checked baggage
Luggage that you hand over to the airline to be stored in the plane's cargo area, not carried on board.
carry-on
Small luggage or items you can take with you onto the plane and keep in the cabin during the flight.
boarding pass
A ticket given after check-in that allows you to board the plane; it has your seat and gate information.
gate
The specific location at the airport where passengers board their flight, like gate A15.
boarding
The process of getting on the plane; it starts at a set time before the flight departs.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Good morning! We're checking in for flight BA286 to London.
This is a polite greeting and clear statement to start the check-in process. Use it when approaching the counter to specify your flight. 'We're' shows group travel, useful for intermediate learners practicing polite introductions.
Can I see your passports and tickets, please?
A polite request from service staff. The structure 'Can I see... please?' is formal and courteous; use it in service situations. It teaches question form with modals for permission.
Certainly. Here they are.
A polite way to agree and hand over items. 'Certainly' means 'of course,' adding politeness. Useful for responding positively in formal interactions; simple structure for handing documents.
Do you have any checked baggage today?
A yes/no question to inquire about luggage. 'Any' is used for questions about quantity; practice it for airport scenarios. It helps learners understand context-specific questions.
Yes, we have two large suitcases and a smaller carry-on that we'd like to check in.
Describes luggage details with relative clause 'that we'd like to check in.' Useful for explaining what you want to do with bags; teaches counting and preferences in travel.
Please place your bags on the scale one by one.
An instruction with 'please' for politeness and 'one by one' for sequence. Use in procedural situations; grammar point: imperative form for directions.
Here are your boarding passes. Your gate number is A15 and boarding will begin at 10:30 AM.
Provides important flight info after check-in. Compound sentence with 'and' connects details; essential for receiving documents and times. Practice future tense 'will begin.'
Have a pleasant flight!
A common farewell wishing well. 'Have a...' is a pattern for good wishes; use at the end of travel interactions to end politely.